Joshua 11:22

only in Gaza See above, Joshua 10:41.

in Gath One of the five royal cities of the Philistines (Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17), and the native place of the giant Goliath, who, though doubtless of the old stock of the Anakims (1 Samuel 17:4; 2 Samuel 21:18-20), is called a Philistine, shewing that in David's time the two races had coalesced and become one. Gath occupied a strong position (2 Chronicles 11:8), on the border of Judah and Philistia (1 Samuel 21:10; 1 Chronicles 18:1) near Shoco and Adullam (2 Chronicles 11:8), and from its strength and resources formed the key of both countries.

and in Ashdod Ashdod or Azotus (Acts 8:40) was situated about 30 miles from the southern frontier of Palestine, three from the Mediterranean Sea, and nearly midway between Gaza and Joppa. It was assigned to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:47), but was never subdued by the Israelites, and even down to Nehemiah's age it preserved its distinctiveness of race and language (Nehemiah 13:23-24). It was the city of Dagon (1 Samuel 5:1-7), and against it, as against Gaza, the prophets often direct their denunciations (Jeremiah 25:20; Amos 1:8; Zephaniah 2:4; Zechariah 9:6).